With reflexes swift as covering one’s ears to steal a bell, Li Jingyun yanked Qin Sheng back behind the echo wall.

Strangled by the grip, Qin Sheng nearly rolled his eyes back. “Young Master… what are you afraid of… that’s Steward Yin.”

Exactly because it was her that he was afraid!

Bah, not afraid—what was there to fear from a mere servant? Li Jingyun just found it irritating. How could there be someone like Yin Huayue in this world, with a nose like a hound’s—no matter where he ran off to, she could always track him down quickly.

The training grounds, it seemed, were no longer safe.

“Come, today I’ll take you to Qifeng Tower for some fun.”

Qin Sheng was puzzled. “Didn’t you say Steward Yin already knows you’re out?”

“Don’t ask so much.”

“Oh.”

Turning to run toward the stables, Li Jingyun hurried to untie the reins, but the moment he reached out, someone appeared beside him and deftly did it for him instead.

Slender, deft hands, clean and efficient.

“Young Master.” Huayue smiled, soft and gentle. “The General has ordered that you return to the residence at once.”

“…”

Wind and sand swept through the stables; a horse gave a startled snort.

The fodder in the trough gave off a strange fragrance; all around was silence.

Li Jingyun casually took half a step back, but the person beside him reacted even faster, retreating two steps in step with him, and behind her, more than a dozen guards suddenly appeared.

After a moment of silence, Li Jingyun turned as if just noticing her, feigning realization: “How could I forget—there’s still business at the residence today.”

Then he turned to Qin Sheng: “Knowing the residence is busy these days, why did you drag me to Qifeng Tower?”

Qin Sheng: “…?”

Huayue nodded, deferential and compliant, showing not the slightest sign of pressing further, only bowing slightly at the waist: “Young Master, please mount.”

Li Jingyun nodded readily, took the reins, then paused to tug at his collar: “I just exercised a bit and worked up quite a sweat.”

Huayue smiled at him.

If it had been anyone else, they might have followed along, and he’d say he needed to bathe and change at the training grounds first, then try to slip away later. But Yin Huayue, smiling and nodding like this, looked exactly as if she were saying: go on, keep making excuses.

Li Jingyun found this very annoying. He couldn’t keep the excuse going.

“Let’s go.”

“You shouldn’t have left the residence today at all.” Huayue smiled as she led the horse out for him. “Madam Han and the young miss have already arrived together. If you’re late, it would be a grave breach of etiquette.”

“My fault, I forgot for a moment.” Li Jingyun looked pained. “Yesterday the deputy general said there was morning training and invited me to spar. I got too excited and overlooked the important matter.”

He swung up onto the horse, then looked back at her: “Did you come by carriage with your people?”

Huayue nodded.

“Then get on. I’ll take you back.” He smiled and extended a hand. “The carriage is too slow. If we’re not back in time, they’ll blame me instead.”

Shouldn’t they blame you? Huayue was furious. The General’s Residence had been busy for three days preparing—even the old man watching the back gate knew the Han family was coming today. This young master with his excellent memory, how could he have genuinely forgotten!

But she was, after all, a servant. However angry she was, she could only smile, take his hand, mount behind him, and grip the back of the saddle tightly.

“Sit steady.” Glancing back at her, Li Jingyun kicked the horse’s flank, and the horse neighed and galloped down the road.

The scenery flew past on all sides, the wind so strong it was hard to keep her eyes open. Huayue frowned repeatedly: “Young Master, slower.”

“Aren’t we rushing for time?” Li Jingyun sighed. “Look how late it already is—going any slower would be an even greater breach of etiquette.”

Huayue smiled through gritted teeth, gripping the saddle as if competing with him, trying hard not to fall off.

After about the time it takes two sticks of incense to burn, the horse slowed, and Huayue finally had a chance to open her eyes—but the moment she did, she nearly fell off: “Young Master, this isn’t the way back!”

“Whoa—” Li Jingyun reined in the horse, looking around in confusion. “Not this way? Then which way is it?”

Huayue was about to explode with anger.

The sun was already high; it was past the hour the Han family was due to arrive. With the young master gone and her gone too, how was Madam supposed to handle things?

“Young Master, please dismount.”

“I should dismount?” Li Jingyun dawdled, tugging at the reins. “Do you even know the way?”

This rascally, shameless act was a completely different person from the one wielding a spear like fire on the battlefield.

Huayue sighed, no longer in the mood to bicker with him. Her right leg hooked and kicked back at the tip of his boot, knocking his foot out of the stirrup, then she used the leverage to push herself up, her left leg swinging over his head as she settled into the seat in front of him.

The pale gray hem of her skirt swept past overhead and fell in front of her. Li Jingyun only felt a sting on the back of his hand as the reins passed into hers.

“Hyah!”

The horse’s head turned, and they galloped back the way they came.

Li Jingyun was stunned for a moment—the move had come too fast, and by the time he came back to his senses, the West City Gate was already visible ahead.

His expression turned very unpleasant.

“Steward Yin.” He reached out and pinched her waist. “As a servant, you have no business being this presumptuous with your master. Even with Mother backing you, you’re still just a servant.”

“Yes, Young Master, this servant understands.” She answered without turning her head, perfunctory.

“You understand?” He gritted his teeth, tightening his grip. “You’re clearly acting without fear because you have someone to rely on.”

Huayue no longer had the heart to argue about this—her mind was entirely occupied with how to smooth things over later. If they rushed now, they might only be a little late, but with the right excuse…

“Do you think you’ll still make it in time?” the person behind her suddenly asked.

Huayue smiled lightly: “Young Master needn’t worry, this servant has her ways.”

As long as the sky hadn’t fallen, anything could be salvaged—she had that confidence.

“Too bad, though.” The fingers pinching her waist loosened one by one, and Li Jingyun’s voice carried a hint of warm breath from behind her ear.

“This time, you might not have a way after all.”

What did he mean by that?

Huayue was startled, and before she could ask, the horse’s hoof suddenly plunged into a mud pit, splashing water. In the jolt, she suddenly felt emptiness behind her.

Something flew backward fast, wind sweeping past on both sides, chilling her spine.